The Return of the Tod J. LeFevre Sustainability Champion Awards

Gorge Owned is calling for nominations for the seventh annual Tod J. LeFevre Sustainability Champion awards. This award celebrates individuals, businesses, and students working on innovative, creative solutions to the environmental, economic, and social issues facing the Gorge. This year, winners will be announced at the Gorge March for Science on Saturday, April 28 at Rheingarten Park in White Salmon.

Nominate a Champion!

About the Tod J. Lefevre Sustainability Award

Tod J. LeFevre

This award is named after Tod J. LeFevre, a longtime resident of Hood River and a true champion of sustainability. Tod passed away on March 7, 2011 when his long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis ended before donor lungs could be found. Among many other things, Tod was a respected civil engineer, a mountaineer, skier, adventurer, innovator and teacher. He launched a solar engineering and installation firm, Common Energy, which is now owned by his wife Marti and Scott Sorensen. Tod and Marti have two children, Cassell and Sutton Bell. We honor Tod and his humble determination to make our community and this world a better place.

2017 Tod J. Lefevre Sustainability Champions

John Nelson

Individual

What Makes John a Champion

Since retiring as a school teacher, John has dedicated his life to serving on numerous boards and in leadership of advocacy and conservation groups here in the Gorge. He serves on the board of Friends of the Gorge, in leadership of Protecting Oregon’s Progress, on the board of the N Wasco County school district, as a planning commissioner for the City of the Dalles, on a forestry commission, and more. He also led the community-driven campaign to prevent Walmart from breaking ground in the Dalles years ago, has been a tireless advocate for clean air in The Dalles, and is a water monitor volunteer for Columbia Riverkeeper. John exemplifies a life led in service for community and environmental stewardship.

Columbia Gorge Women's Action Network

Business/non-profit

What Makes CGWAN a Champion

Launching less than 5-months ago as a private Facebook group with a handful of members, the Columbia Gorge Women’s Action Network has blossomed into a strong and supportive network of women activists working locally to protect democracy, human rights for all, free and fair media, and a safe environment. Now, with nearly 2,000 members, the Women’s Action Network has made quick work of organizing and harnessing local passion and energy to advocate for a just and sustainable region, all through volunteer engagement. Learn more about the network at CGWAN.org. Congratulations to Mike Mayfield, Kirsten Dennis, and the rest of the leadership at the Columbia Gorge Women’s Action Network!

Isis Stenn

Student

What Makes Isis a Champion

Isis was nominated for this year’s award by Hood River Mayor Paul Blackburn, who called her “a powerful and compelling advocate”. Isis has been an active member of the May Street Robo Dragons club, which championed a reusable bag program in Hood River grocery stores. Her advocacy against the use of disposable plastic bags and her presentation to the Hood River City Council contributed to the city-wide ban on plastic shopping bags that recently took effect in Hood River. Isis continues to fundraise for and distribute reusable bags and stickers throughout the community, reminding us all to bring our bags when we go shopping!